Survey of Thysanoptera on Vicia faba (broad bean) in the arid Biskra region of Algeria

Thrips (Thysanoptera) are abundant and diverse in fields of broad bean (Vicia faba) in Biskra, an arid but important vegetable crop production province of Algeria. We conducted surveys of thrips in this region and identified them to develop a base of knowledge for these potentially important pests of Algerian broad bean. Of the 7 species collected from broad bean, Odontothrips loti was the most abundant species (48% of specimens), followed by Thrips angusticeps (22%), Aeolothrips intermedius (10%), T. physapus (9%), Melanthrips fuscus (5%), Rhipidothrips gratiosus (3%) and Frankliniella occidentalis (3%). Most of these species can damage Vicia faba and all are polyphagous, which complicates pest management decisions. Although F. occidentalis was found in low numbers, it is of special concern because of its competence as a vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.